Dr. Andy Anderson in his 38th year teaching at USU with no signs of slowing down

Dr. Andy Anderson appeared in one of a series of "Read" posters created by the Logan Library.

LOGAN – This is Andy Anderson’s 38th year teaching at Utah State University; for most professors, that is a career.

He talks as if he’s just getting started.

His classes are primarily for students focused on careers in medicine. He is serious about the process, and he expects the same from them.

“And I tell them that you have to commit to the classes, because this information, particularly if you are going into a health care type of field,” says Dr. Anderson, “is going to carry with you forever, and you have to be willing to put in at least two to three hours per day just for that one class, to actually master the information and retain it for the many years to come.”

His classes are primarily in human anatomy and human physiology.

“I enjoy working with young, bright people,” Dr. Anderson explains. “And the letters I get back from them, from professional school, where they say ‘I came in a step above my classmates. And my first year in professional school’s been much easier’ because of the information they’ve learned in my classes. To me, that’s more rewarding than money. And it gives me satisfaction that the work I’m doing is valued.”

At the USU website he has written, “I enjoy teaching serious college students and I have no intention of retiring.”

“Why would I retire? I’m still physically capable, mentally capable. And, I’ll tell you a secret, which a lot of people don’t know. I plan to keep on teaching after I’m dead. Through this wall right here, we have the cadaver lab. And I’ll be coming up here for a year to continue teaching after my death as a cadaver.”

Dr. Anderson says in his earlier years he would break up lectures by challenging his students with movie trivia. Nine years ago he “switched track.”

“What I do now is ask the students to tell me their stories. I said, if you had a medical condition like a fracture or some kind of injury, send me a brief description of your story, and pictures, and we’ll talk about your story as an intermission, to help break up the lecture.

“What’s so interesting with it, is that these students volunteer to send this information to me,” he exclaims. “So, in class, we’ll take a break and the student tells about their story. And the surrounding students are amazed. First of all they find out that the information is relevant to what they’re learning. Second, they didn’t know that their fellow students had endured such difficulties.

“It’s quite an eye opener. You look around and think everybody is just like you. And you find out some people have genetic diseases, or heart disease, and in a way it helps feed in to their goal to help people in their future medical careers, because they’re certainly seeing there is a demand.”

A typical student review of Dr. Anderson’s class reads: “The material is difficult but if you listen to him and study hard, it will be the most rewarding class you ever take at USU.”

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1 Comment

  • E February 16, 2022 at 8:08 am Reply

    Andy Anderson is the best professor I have ever had! I took his classes years ago & still reference not just the material, but the skills I learned to help me succeed. He is absolutely dedicated to helping each of his students become their best & reach the bar. I would not be where I am professionally or personally had I not learned from him. I am so glad he is not planning on retiring anytime soon!

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